Seaside and a Swap and a Soporific Subject

The Lighthouse quilt is progressing.  It may not look any different than in previous photos, but its now all attached rather than just laid in place

I used Katy's suggestion, and  stitched the applique down with a machine blanket stitch - it's all lovely and crisp.

I'm now thinking about borders and the possibility of getting this long arm quilted.  I can see in my mind how the rocks and the grass and the sea and the clouds should be quilted, but I know I don't have the skills.

Postie brought me a super squishie this morning - Sue had decided to make some too, and by swapping we all get more variety of fabric - thanks Sue, I'll get yours to the post office early next week

This weekend sees the 800th anniversary of the signing sealing of the Magna Carta - a charter agreed by King John of England at Runnymede, near Windsor, on 15 June 1215. (taken from Wiki). 

Legend has it that it was sealed on an island in the Thames, near Runnymede.  Since then the Thames has moved south west, towards Runnymede. . .

. . . and therefore the island must now be part of Wraysbury. . . so claim those in Wraysbury who are interested.  Runnymede has its own claim, and so does Old Windsor and a lot of other local villages.

They all seem to be ignoring the fact that the charter was good for the rich but not so good for us common folk, and the one sealed 800 years ago was so rubbish it was replaced a year later and in 1217 AND 1225 and 1297.  There are probably hundreds of event celebrating this anniversary - in Wraysbury we have had a flower show and are having tea parties, theme village fairs, concerts etc.  Runnymede has a big event which needs this enormous construction

There are flotillas on the Thames, a visit from the Queen, all sorts of riverside gardens being opened to the public, serving cream teas, and at least two fabric related creations.

The Magna Carta Quilters have created a huge collection measuring 30 foot by 7 foot.  I'm sure it is beautifully made, but I have to say I prefer our Wraysbury Wall hanging which is now hanging in St Andrew's Church.  I haven't seen it framed and up myself, but was sent this photo

Hope you have a good weekend!  Apart from the village fair I'm hoping to avoid anything that has the MC words associated with it!

Super Squishies

After a one-to-one patchwork lesson yesterday, today I was teaching computing to my lovely 75 year old neighbour, Vivien, who is terrified of her computer.  We went right back to basics; starting with how to switch on.  We have composed an email, and replied to one, but I suspect what she'll remember is that my phone has more processing power than the computers than controlled the Apollo space missions - hey ho, we'll see how she gets on!

I came back home after my hours with her to a squishie!!!!

It was from The Village Haberdashery  (I love the spotty envelope almost as much as I love the fabrics!)  A week or so ago, Nicky at Mrs Sew and Sow blogged that Cindy at Fluffy Sheep Quilting was hosting a Rainbow Charm Swap.  The idea is that 56 people each buy 2m of fabric in a colour they have been allocated.  They cut this into 56 5 inch squares, and send them to Cindy - Cindy then makes 56 piles, each with one square of each fabric, and send the new piles out to each of the original 56 (hope that makes sense).

I rushed to signup - but I was number 57!  HOWEVER, someone dropped out, so I was in - YIPPEE!!!!!!

So you see, I HAD to buy 2m of purple fabric (my allocated colour), hence the Crosshatch (top) fabric, and as I was having to pay P&P anyway, I might as well get some more

I did also manage *some* making today - my 'official tester' (the lovely Jackie) managed to improve on the fabric flower that I tried to make a few days ago, and from her instructions I managed to make this

I also tried a new (to me) method of applique  (can I please mention that Mr Owl's wings are actually orangy yellow, NOT fluorescent green)

I used the 'bounce' method - stitch the fabric to s sheet of bounce from the tumble drier, then cutting a slit in the bounce sheet and turning the whole lot through the hole.  Having tried needle turn and freezer paper before, I have to say this is my preferred method.

I now have five samples for the museum so they advertise the Fun With Fabric classes for the summer, so that is another few boxes I can tick off the list :-)